Nicotine dependence — also called tobacco dependence — is an addiction to tobacco products caused by the drug nicotine. Nicotine dependence means you can't stop using the substance, even though it's causing you harm.

Nicotine produces physical and mood-altering effects in your brain that are temporarily pleasing. These effects make you want to use tobacco and lead to dependence. At the same time, stopping tobacco use causes withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and anxiety.

While it's the nicotine in tobacco that causes nicotine dependence, the toxic effects of tobacco result from other substances in tobacco. Smokers have much higher rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer than nonsmokers do.

Regardless of how long you've smoked, stopping smoking can improve your health. Many effective treatments for nicotine dependence are available to help you manage withdrawal and stop smoking for good. Ask your doctor for help.

In some people, using any amount of tobacco can quickly lead to nicotine dependence. Signs that you may be addicted include:

You can't stop smoking. You've made one or more serious, but unsuccessful, attempts to stop.

You keep smoking despite health problems. Even though you've developed problems with your lungs or your heart, you haven't been able to stop.

You give up social or recreational activities in order to smoke. You may stop going to smoke-free restaurants or stop socializing with certain family members or friends because you can't smoke in these locations or situations.

When to see a doctor

You're not alone if you've tried to stop smoking but haven't been able to stop for good. Most smokers make many attempts to stop smoking before they achieve stable, long-term abstinence from smoking.

You're more likely to stop for good if you follow a treatment plan that addresses both the physical and the behavioral aspects of nicotine dependence. Using medications and working with a tobacco treatment specialist will significantly boost your chances of success.

Ask your doctor to help you develop a treatment plan that works for you or to advise you on where to get help to stop smoking.

Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that keeps you smoking. Nicotine is very addictive when delivered to the lungs by inhaling tobacco smoke. It increases the release of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior. One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine, which may improve your mood and activate feelings of pleasure. Experiencing these effects from nicotine in tobacco is what makes tobacco so addictive.

Nicotine dependence involves behavioral as well as physical factors. Behaviors and cues that you may associate with smoking include:

Certain times of the day, such as first thing in the morning, with morning coffee or during breaks at work

After a meal

Drinking alcohol

Certain places or friends

Talking on the phone

Stressful situations or when you're feeling down

Sight or smell of a burning cigarette

Driving your car

To overcome your dependence on tobacco, you need to deal with the behaviors and routines that you associate with smoking.

Anyone who smokes or uses other forms of tobacco is at risk of becoming dependent. Factors that influence nicotine dependence include:

Genetics. The genes you inherit play a role in some aspects of nicotine dependence. The likelihood that you will start smoking and keep smoking may be partly inherited — genetic factors may influence how receptors on the surface of your brain's nerve cells respond to high doses of nicotine delivered by cigarettes.

Home and peer influence. Children who grow up with parents who smoke are more likely to become smokers. Children with friends who smoke also are more likely to try cigarettes. Evidence suggests that smoking shown in movies and on the Internet can encourage young people to smoke.

Age. Most people begin smoking during childhood or the teen years. The younger you begin smoking, the greater the chance that you'll become a heavy smoker as an adult.

Depression or other mental illness. People who have depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other forms of mental illness are more likely to be smokers.

Substance use. People who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are more likely to be smokers.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 known cancer-causing chemicals and thousands of other harmful substances. Even "all natural" or herbal cigarettes have chemicals that are harmful to your health. When you inhale tobacco smoke, you take in these chemicals, which reach most of your body's vital organs.

Smoking harms almost every organ of your body, and more than 60 percent of people who keep smoking will die because of it. Women smokers are now at equal risk to men smokers of dying from diseases caused by using tobacco. The negative health effects include:

Lung cancer and other lung diseases. Smoking causes nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer cases, as well as other lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also makes asthma worse.

Other cancers. Smoking is a major cause of cancers of the esophagus, larynx, throat (pharynx) and mouth and is related to cancers of the bladder, pancreas, kidney and cervix, and some leukemias.

Heart and circulatory system problems. Smoking increases your risk of dying of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, including heart attack and stroke. Even smoking just one to four cigarettes daily increases your risk of heart disease. If you have heart or blood vessel disease, such as heart failure, smoking worsens your condition. However, stopping smoking reduces your risk of having a heart attack by 50 percent in the first year.

Diabetes. Smoking increases insulin resistance, which can set the stage for the development of type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, smoking can speed the progress of complications, such as kidney disease and eye problems.

Eye problems. Smoking can increase your risk of serious eye problems such as cataracts and loss of eyesight from macular degeneration.

Infertility and impotence. Smoking increases the risk of infertility in women and the risk of impotence in men.

Pregnancy and newborn complications. Mothers who smoke while pregnant face a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, lower birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in their newborn.

Cold, flu and other illnesses. Smokers are more prone to respiratory infections, such as colds, flu and bronchitis.

Teeth and gum disease. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing inflammation of the gum (gingivitis) and a serious gum infection that can destroy the support system for teeth (periodontitis).

Risks to your family. Nonsmoking spouses and partners of smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer and heart disease compared with people who don't live with a smoker. If you smoke, your children will be more prone to SIDS, worsening asthma, ear infections and colds.

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor or a general practitioner. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

To get ready for your appointment:

Consider your smoking triggers. List the circumstances when you're most likely to reach for a cigarette. In what situations has smoking become a ritual? Are there any situations when you're less likely to smoke?

List any physical symptoms you've hadthat may be related to smoking. Include the length of time you've had each one.

List key personal information. Include any major stresses or recent life changes.

Make a list of all medications you're taking. Include any vitamins, herbs or other supplements, as well as the dosages.

Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

Make a list of questions to askyour doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

Do you think smoking could be causing or worsening my other health problems?

Is there still time for my health to benefit from quitting smoking?

What treatment options seem most likely to help in my situation?

What should I do to start getting ready?

Can you refer me to a specialist who can help me stop smoking?

Don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Being ready to answer questions your doctor may ask reserves time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Some questions your doctor may ask include:

How many cigarettes do you smoke each day? How soon after waking do you smoke?

Have you previously tried to stop smoking? If so, what happened? What worked? What didn't work?

What is motivating you to stop smoking now?

Do you have any physical health problems, such as heart disease or diabetes, that you suspect are related to smoking?

Are there family members or co-workers who smoke with you?

Do you have any lifestyle limitations related to smoking, such as difficulty playing sports or doing other physical activities?

Has smoking caused any problems at work or in your relationships?

Do you have any mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety?

What are your biggest obstacles to stopping smoking?

Will your loved ones support your effort to stop smoking?

How confident are you that you'll be able to stop?

Your doctor may ask you questions or have you complete a questionnaire to get a sense of how dependent you are on nicotine. The more cigarettes you smoke each day and the sooner you smoke after awakening, the more dependent you are. Knowing your degree of dependence will help your doctor determine the best treatment plan for you.

In diagnosing nicotine dependence, your doctor may consider criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. This manual is used by mental health providers to help them diagnose conditions and by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the U.S. Your health will benefit almost immediately if you stop smoking. Younger smokers who stop can have a normal life expectancy, and even older smokers who stop add years and quality to their life expectancy.

According to a report of the Surgeon General, a year after quitting, your risk of a heart attack drops sharply. After two to five years, your stroke risk may be reduced to that of a nonsmoker. And at 10 years, your risk of cancer may be reduced to about half that of a smoker.

Like most smokers, you've probably made at least one serious attempt to stop. But it's rare to stop smoking on your first attempt — especially if you try to do it without help. You're much more likely to stop if you use medications and counseling, which have both been proved effective, especially in combination.

Medications

Many treatments, including nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medications, have been approved as safe and effective in treating nicotine dependence. Using more than one medication may help you get better results. For example, combining a longer acting medication with a short-acting nicotine replacement product may be beneficial. Talk to your health care provider about the right treatment for you.

If you're pregnant or breast-feeding, you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, or you're under age 18, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter nicotine replacement products.

Nicotine replacement therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy gives you nicotine without the other harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Many people mistakenly believe that nicotine causes cancer, but that's not the case.

Nicotine replacement medications, including patches, gum, lozenges, nasal spray and inhaler, can help relieve difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The best time to start using nicotine replacement medication is on the date you've set to stop smoking. Some smokers start earlier in order to reduce smoking on their way to stopping altogether.

Most nicotine replacement products are available over-the-counter:

Nicotine patch (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol, others). The patch delivers nicotine through your skin and into your bloodstream. You wear a new patch each day. The treatment period usually lasts for eight weeks or longer. If you haven't been able to stop smoking completely after two weeks or so of treatment, ask your doctor for help in adjusting the dose of the patch or adding another medication.

Nicotine gum (Nicorette, others). This gum delivers nicotine to your blood through the lining of your mouth. It's available in a 2-milligram (mg) dose for regular smokers and a 4-mg dose for heavy smokers. Nicotine gum is often recommended to curb cravings. Chew the gum for a few times until you feel a mild tingling or peppery taste, then park the gum between your cheek and gumline for several minutes. This chewing and parking allows nicotine to be gradually absorbed in your bloodstream. Avoid drinking or eating right before, while using, or right after nicotine gum. The goal is to reduce the amount and eliminate the need for the gum in about three months.

Nicotine lozenge (Commit, Nicorette mini lozenge). This lozenge dissolves in your mouth and, like nicotine gum, delivers nicotine through the lining of your mouth. The lozenges are available in a 2-mg dose for regular smokers and a 4-mg dose for heavy smokers. Place the lozenge in your mouth between your gumline and cheek or under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. You'll start with one lozenge every one to two hours and gradually increase the time between lozenges. Avoid drinking anything right before, while using or right after the lozenge.

These nicotine replacement products are available by prescription:

Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS). The nicotine in this product, sprayed directly into each nostril, is absorbed through your nasal membranes into your blood vessels. The nasal spray delivers nicotine a bit quicker than gum, lozenges or the patch, but not as rapidly as smoking a cigarette. It's usually prescribed for three-month periods for up to six months. Side effects may include nasal irritation.

Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol). This device is shaped something like a cigarette holder. You puff on it, and it delivers nicotine vapor into your mouth. You absorb the nicotine through the lining in your mouth, where it then enters your bloodstream. Common side effects are mouth or throat irritation and occasional coughing.

Non-nicotine medications

Medications that don't contain nicotine include:

Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin). The antidepressant drug bupropion increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that are also boosted by nicotine. Bupropion may be prescribed along with a nicotine patch. Typically your doctor will advise you to start bupropion one week before you stop smoking. Bupropion has the advantage of helping to minimize weight gain after you quit smoking. Side effects may include sleep disturbance and dry mouth. If you have a history of seizures or serious head trauma, such as a skull fracture, you shouldn't take this drug.

Varenicline (Chantix). This medication acts on the brain's nicotine receptors, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and reducing the feelings of pleasure you get from smoking. Typically your doctor will advise you to start varenicline one week before you stop smoking. Potential side effects include nausea, headache, insomnia and vivid dreams. Rarely, varenicline has been associated with serious psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, agitation and suicidal thoughts.

Nortriptyline (Pamelor). This tricyclic antidepressant has been shown to help smokers stop. It acts by increasing the levels of the brain neurotransmitter norepinephrine. It may be prescribed if other medications for stopping tobacco use don't help. Side effects may include dry mouth.

Counseling, support groups and other programs

Combining medications with behavioral counseling provides the best chance for establishing long-term smoking abstinence. Medications help you cope with withdrawal symptoms, while behavioral treatments help you develop the skills you need to avoid tobacco over the long run. The more time you spend with a counselor, the better your treatment results will be.

Several types of counseling and support can help with stopping smoking:

Telephone counseling. No matter where you live, you can take advantage of phone counseling to help you give up tobacco. Every state in the U.S. has a telephone quit line, and some have more than one. To find the options in your state, call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).

Individual or group counseling program. Your doctor may recommend local support groups or a treatment program where counseling is provided by a tobacco treatment specialist. Counseling helps you learn techniques for preparing to stop smoking and provides support for you during the process. Many hospitals, health care plans, health care providers and employers offer treatment programs or have tobacco treatment specialists who are certified to provide treatment for nicotine dependence. Nicotine Anonymous groups are available in many locations to provide support for smokers trying to quit. Some medical centers provide residential treatment programs — the most intensive treatment available.

Internet-based programs. Several websites offer support and strategies for people who want to stop smoking. BecomeAnEX is free and provides information and techniques as well as blogs, community forums, ask the expert and many other features. Text messaging services, including personalized reminders about a quit-smoking plan, also may prove helpful.

Methods to avoid

There is no scientific evidence that these products work to help stop smoking and little is known about their safety.

Products claiming to deter smoking. This includes products that change the taste of tobacco, special diets to curb nicotine cravings and vitamin combinations marketed as smoking cessation aids.

Herbs and supplements. Homeopathic aids and herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so they don't need to prove their effectiveness or safety.

Nicotine lollipops and balms. Products containing nicotine salicylate are not approved by the FDA, and these products pose a risk for accidental use by children.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Flavored mist containing nicotine that looks like smoke is puffed through a system that looks like a cigarette. Questions exist about the safety of e-cigarette vapor and the amount of nicotine provided.

Hypnosis. Although no evidence supports the use of hypnosis in smoking cessation, some people say they find it helpful. If you choose to pursue hypnosis, talk to your doctor about finding a reputable hypnotherapist.

Tobacco in any form is not safe. This includes the use of:

Dissolvable tobacco products. Tobacco pouches, lozenges, strips or other products contain small amounts of tobacco and nicotine you hold or dissolve in your mouth. These tobacco products are used by smokers in places where smoking is not allowed. There is no evidence they will help you stop smoking and little is known about their health effects.

Smokeless tobacco and snuff (snus). These products contain nicotine in amounts similar to cigarettes and increase your risk of mouth and throat cancer, tooth and gum diseases, and other health problems.

Pipes and cigars. These products have similar, though less frequent, health risks as cigarettes, and they are not a safe alternative.

Hookahs (narghiles). These are water pipes that burn tobacco, and the smoke is inhaled through a hose. They are not safer than cigarettes. The water does not filter out toxins in the smoke, and the water and pipe have a risk of transmitting infections.

Flavored cigarettes. Clove cigarettes (kreteks) and flavored cigarettes (bidis) carry the same health risks as smoking regular cigarettes and can cause additional health problems. Although they're not legal in the United States, they're still available in some countries.

It's important to have a plan for managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are usually the most intense during the first week after you stop smoking. They may continue for several weeks, with declining intensity.

Although most nicotine withdrawal symptoms pass within a month, you may occasionally experience a strong urge or craving to smoke months after stopping. Triggers or cues that were associated with your smoking can provoke these urges or cravings.

Here's what you can do to help manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms:

Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been found to reduce withdrawal symptoms and help people stop smoking. Exercise also helps avoid potential weight gain often associated with stopping.

Wait out cravings. Cravings or urges usually last less than five minutes. Wash the dishes, go for a walk or have a healthy snack, such as carrots, an apple or sunflower seeds, which will keep your mouth busy. Pursue something that keeps your hands busy, and before you know it, the urge will have passed. Make sure you get rid of tobacco supplies when you decide to quit. Don't save a just-in-case pack.

Identify rationalizations. If you find yourself thinking, "I'll just smoke one to get through this tough time" or "Just one won't hurt," recognize it as a message that can derail your plan. Review your reasons for quitting, and replace that thought with something positive to support your stopping.

Talk to a support person. If you're feeling anxious or depressed or need encouragement, a support person can help you get through a difficult craving.

Avoid high-risk situations. Know your triggers, and stay away from people, places and situations that tempt you to smoke.

Be realistic about the energy and time it takes to stop smoking. Adjust your schedule to a lighter workload. Take time to do something fun or simply relax.

Eat regular, healthy meals. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables, and drink more water.

To stay smoke-free over the long haul, consider these tips:

Stay motivated. Decide to quit, pick a date and create a plan to make it happen. Start by thinking about the mixed feelings you may have about smoking. Then make a list of your reasons for stopping smoking.

Don't get discouraged if you slip. Remember, it's common to lapse, and sometimes relapse. But your goal is no smoking at all — even light or occasional smoking is dangerous. You can learn from past experiences about what may have led to a lapse or relapse. Armed with that knowledge, you'll be stronger during your next attempt.

Identify your major smoking triggers and challenges. This will help you solve problems and have a plan to deal with high-risk situations.

Seek support. Social support is key to achieving a stable and solid, smoke-free life. Ask your family, friends and co-workers for support and encouragement. Be direct, and let them know what specifically helps you most.

Practice positive self-talk. Think of one or two phrases to use repeatedly for encouragement, such as "I am grateful to be smoke-free."

Set smoke-free boundaries. If there's another smoker in your household, set boundaries by making your home and car smoke-free. Ask smoking co-workers not to offer you a smoke or invite you outside for a smoke break.

Regularly review the benefits you're getting from quitting. Short-term benefits include breathing easier, saving money and having better smelling clothes. Long-term benefits include a lower risk of disease, increased chances for a longer life and a healthier environment for your family. Add up how much money you've saved.

Avoid alcohol. Drinking is a high-risk situation. Avoid drinking situations until you're confident that you can remain smoke-free.

Reward yourself. Buy a magazine, go to the park, meet a friend for lunch or take a class.

The best way to prevent tobacco dependence is to not smoke in the first place. The best way to prevent your children from smoking is to not smoke yourself. If you're a parent who smokes, the younger your children are when you quit, the less likely they are to become smokers themselves.

Even if you don't smoke, here are some things you might try as a parent:

Promote smoke-free environments. Support legislation to make all workplaces smoke-free. Encourage smoke-free public places, including restaurants or other places where your teen may work.

Support legislation to increase taxes on tobacco products. Higher prices discourage teens from starting to smoke. Higher prices on tobacco products, coupled with smoke-free workplace laws, are the most effective public health policies to reduce smoking in adults and prevent young people from ever starting.

Talk with your teenagers. Ask whether their friends smoke. Most teenagers smoke their first cigarette with a friend who already smokes. Let your child know that other forms of tobacco, including cigars and smokeless tobacco, also carry significant health risks.

Learn what your children think about smoking. Ask them to read this article so that you can discuss it together. You can be a great influence on whether your children smoke, despite what they see in movies and on the Internet.

Help your children explore personal feelings. Use nonjudgmental questions and rehearse with them how they could handle tough situations regarding peer pressure and smoking.

Note the social repercussions. Remind your teenager that smoking gives you bad breath and makes your hair and clothes smell.

Work with your schools. Become active in community and school stop-smoking programs.

Preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults: A report of the surgeon general — Executive summary. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2012/index.htm. Accessed April 16, 2013.

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.